DPRK Energy Experts Working Group (2006 – 2010)

DPRK Energy Experts Working Group

Energy insecurity is a critical dimension of the North Korean (DPRK) nuclear challenge, both in its making, and in its reversal. Nautilus Institute maintains a unique database and set of quantitative and qualitative analytic tools to evaluate and track the DPRK’s energy economy, and has maintained working relations with North Korean scientists and technical personnel from the energy sector for more than a decade. With this capacity, Nautilus has provided a stream of policy analyses and briefings at their request to US, ROK and other officials on the DPRK’s energy needs, its likely negotiating postures and demands, and possible negotiable options. The need for such expertise in support of the Six-Party Talks is increasing.

Satellite view of the Korean Peninusla at night.

This project ensures that the underlying data and technical analysis available at Nautilus is as up-to-date as possible, and that analysis and policy advice are available when needed by US and other officials.

The DPRK Energy Expert Working Group updates the Nautilus Institute’s DPRK energy database and related analysis by compiling the latest data from a wide array of sources, including DPRK announcements and analyses, input from experts who work in or visit the DPRK on energy issues, and elsewhere, in a consistent physical framework for accounting for supply and demand over time, and forecasting future supply and demand levels based on different underlying drivers of DPRK energy economy. This database underlies all Nautilus’ research and policy analysis on the DPRK’s energy economy, and due to the nature of the underlying algorithms and coefficients that enable us to partly dissolve the granite curtain of opacity in the DPRK, it is essential that the database be updated regularly.